When choosing a hearing device, there are many different options available on the market today. Digital hearing aids offer many advantages over traditional auditory enhancement instruments, and may be a better choice for some people. In the same token, the familiar interface and features of analog hearing devices also appeal to consumers. Nowadays, people with mild to moderate hearing loss have many options than in the past.

Analog

Analog hearing instruments are the traditional devices that most people are familiar with. These instruments work by converting sound waves to electrical waves and thereby helping users to hear more clearly. With an analog, all noises are amplified equally, and there is no select filtration of noises, which can create interference in some models.

Digital

Digital hearing aids are based on the same principal as their analog counterparts. However, instead of converting sound waves into electrical waves, these devices convert sound waves into digital code and then transmit the code directly back to the device. The result is a not only a clearer sound, but it’s also crisper and much more finely detailed.

Choosing Hearing Aids

Both types of hearing aids have advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully analyzed before making a decision. Analog does not have the advantage of digital sound quality, but they do have several customizable features that make them popular with users. Digital offers superior sound quality and are more technologically advanced, but do not have some of the customizable features that make their analog counterparts so appealing. When choosing hearing devices for yourself or family members, take into account your personal auditory needs, your preferences, and the recommendations of your doctor and your audiologist.